New data protection Bill to be tabled in Monsoon Session, govt tells SC

The petitioners have contended that this will amount to violation of their right to privacy and free speech.

Taking note, the bench referred it to the CJI, as two of the judges — Justices Joseph and Rastogi — are due to demit office in June, thereby necessitating reconstitution of the bench.

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THE Centre is ready with a new data protection Bill and it will be tabled in Parliament in the upcoming Monsoon Session, Attorney General for India R Venkataramani informed the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Venkataramani conveyed this to a five-judge Constitution Bench, presided by Justice K M Joseph, as it took up for hearing petitions challenging WhatsApp’s agreement with Facebook, after the latter purchased it, to provide access to calls, photographs, texts, videos and documents shared by users.

The petitioners have contended that this will amount to violation of their right to privacy and free speech.

“The Bill is ready. It just has to be introduced in Parliament. It will be introduced in the Monsoon Session in July,” the A-G told the Bench, also comprising Justices Ajay Rastogi, Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy and C T Ravikumar.

Venkataramani said the Bill will address all concerns raised by the petitioners and urged the bench to take up the matter after it is tabled.

Taking note, the bench referred it to the CJI, as two of the judges — Justices Joseph and Rastogi — are due to demit office in June, thereby necessitating reconstitution of the bench.

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